Mr. Holden said reports of an active shooter in the vicinity of the Hammond Aire Plaza on Airline Highway came in around 9 a.m.

“Then people responded like they normally would,” he said. “And when they got there, this person was still firing at officers and unfortunately some have been wounded.”

One suspect is dead. Multiple news outlets are reporting that two more may be at large.

The shooting comes after the death of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man who was killed by Baton Rouge police officers earlier this month. The death of Sterling — which occurred as father was laying restrained on the ground by two officers — prompted a Justice Department investigation and week-long protests.

Tensions are high in the nation after an episode of shootings involving police, including an attack on officers in Dallas, which left five law enforcement officials dead. The gunman in that incident was not affiliated with the protestors, Think Progress notes.